MCO 1020.34H: Marine Corps Uniform Regulations

The Marine Corps uniform regulations are set out in Marine Corps Order 1020.34H, the single document that governs how every Marine looks from haircut to boot certification. It applies to all active-duty and reserve Marines regardless of duty station, and compliance is not optional. The order covers grooming, tattoos, jewelry, accessories, the four uniform categories, civilian clothing on base, and where and when a Marine may appear in uniform at all.¹

Hair and Grooming

Male Marines

Hair cannot exceed three inches in length when fully extended on top of the head, and bulk cannot exceed roughly two inches from the scalp. Hair must be evenly graduated from zero at the hairline and cannot interfere with headgear. Sideburns stop at or above the top of the ear opening and are trimmed straight across.¹

Female Marines

Hair is organized into three categories: short (no more than one inch from the scalp), medium (past one inch but not below the collar), and long (below the collar). Medium hair can fall naturally without being pinned. Long hair must be secured so it does not extend below the collar’s lower edge, except during physical training.¹

Braids, twists, and locks are all authorized. Locks are permitted at any hair length; braids and twists are limited to medium and long hair, and multiple braids or twists must cover the whole head for a uniform appearance. A bun cannot extend more than three inches from the scalp or wider than the head. Eccentric or faddish styles and unnatural hair colors are prohibited.¹

Facial Hair and the No-Shave Chit

Marines must be clean-shaven, with one exception: a mustache that does not extend past the corners of the mouth, is neatly trimmed, and does not cover any part of the upper lip.¹

Marines with pseudofolliculitis barbae, a skin condition caused by shaving, can receive a medical waiver known as a no-shave chit. A medical officer may authorize the use of clippers, but facial hair cannot exceed one-quarter inch in length and is limited to the affected areas identified on the chit.² Any Marine with an approved grooming exception must carry a copy of the waiver documentation and produce it whenever their appearance deviates from the standard.³

Tattoos

There is no limit on the number or size of tattoos on the torso and limbs. Sleeve tattoos running down the arm are effectively permitted so long as they stop at the wrist bone and do not extend onto the hand.

The hard lines are the head, neck, and hands. Tattoos anywhere on the head (above the first cervical vertebra) or neck (above the collarbone in front, above the seventh cervical vertebra in back) are prohibited. Hand and finger tattoos are off limits, with one narrow exception: a single band tattoo no wider than three-eighths of an inch on one finger of each hand. Chest and back tattoos must be coverable by a crew-neck T-shirt and cannot show above the collarbone.¹

Content still matters. Tattoos that are extremist, racist, sexist, or otherwise offensive to good order and discipline are prohibited regardless of location and can result in separation from service.¹

Cosmetics, Jewelry, and Eyewear

Cosmetics and Nails

Female Marines may wear cosmetics in uniform if the look is conservative and complements their complexion. Lipstick, lip gloss, and lip balm must fall within the red spectrum (including pinks and burgundies) or be clear. Mascara is limited to black or brown. Sparkle, glitter finishes, and unnatural false eyelashes are not authorized.¹

Red-spectrum nail polish is authorized with service and dress uniforms but not with utilities. French manicures that look like a natural nail are permitted with all uniforms. Press-on and acrylic nails are allowed if they stay within length and style regulations. Male Marines cannot wear nail polish, and any makeup worn by a male Marine must be completely inconspicuous.¹

Jewelry

One ring per hand, with a wedding and engagement ring on the same finger counting as one. Watches must be inconspicuous. Necklaces cannot be visible in uniform, chain included. Female Marines may wear one earring per ear; male Marines may not wear earrings at all, even in civilian attire. Gold or platinum dental caps worn for ornamentation are prohibited, and no teeth may be decorated with jewels, initials, or designs. POW/MIA and Killed in Action bracelets are the only authorized bracelets, and only one may be worn at a time. Body piercings of any kind are not authorized for wear in uniform or on military installations.¹

Glasses, Contacts, and Sunglasses

Eyeglasses must be conservative in appearance, with no chains, bands, or ribbons attached. Conservative safety restraints are permitted. Contact lenses worn in uniform must imitate a natural eye color and pupil shape, so novelty designs like cat eyes are out. Sunglasses must also be conservative, and manufacturer logos are acceptable only if small and inconspicuous. In formations, lenses must be green, black, brown, or photosensitive. Non-photosensitive sunglasses cannot be worn indoors.¹

The Four Uniform Categories

The order divides Marine uniforms into four groups, each built for a different setting.

Dress uniforms. The Blue Dress and Blue-White Dress are the most formal options, reserved for ceremonies, official social events, and formal occasions. Officer and enlisted coat designs differ, and the scarlet blood stripe appears on the dress blue trousers of non-commissioned officers and above.
Service uniforms. The olive-green service uniform is standard for office work, travel, and court-martial proceedings — the Marine Corps equivalent of business attire.
Utility uniforms. The Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform uses the MARPAT digital camouflage pattern in woodland and desert variants, for field operations, training, and working environments.
Physical training gear. Issued shirts, shorts, and tracksuits for exercise and fitness testing.

All issued items are tracked through individual sea bags and must be present during inventory checks.¹

Maternity Uniforms

The maternity service uniform is a green tunic top, a khaki maternity shirt (long or short sleeve), and slacks or a skirt. A green necktab is required when the tunic or long-sleeve shirt is worn. The short-sleeve shirt worn without the tunic uses an open collar with no necktab. A black Navy maternity cardigan with epaulettes is optional. A maternity camouflage work uniform is available in both woodland and desert MARPAT for Marines in the Fleet Marine Force or those whose duties require utilities; the web belt is not worn, and the name and service tapes sit higher than usual, with the tops in line with the second buttonhole from the top.¹

Wearing the Uniform Correctly

p>Precision matters. The gig line, one of the first things inspectors check, is the shirt edge, belt buckle, and trouser fly forming a continuous straight vertical line. Insignia of rank goes on the collar, centered one-half inch from the edge and parallel to the ground. Ribbons sit on the left breast, placed one-eighth of an inch above the top of the pocket. Marksmanship badges are placed one-eighth of an inch above the pocket on the Blue Dress “B” and Service “A” uniforms, with ribbons positioned one-eighth of an inch above the badges.¹

Handbags and Clutches

Handbags carried with service or dress uniforms must be plain black leather or synthetic leather in a rectangular flap design. Exotic materials like alligator or ostrich are prohibited, as are visible logos, decorative stitching, buckles, and zippers on the flap. The handbag must fall between 7.5 by 5.5 by 2 inches and 12 by 8 by 3.5 inches, worn over the left shoulder or left arm. Handbags are not authorized in formation or with utilities. Officers may carry a plain black rectangular clutch no larger than 6 by 9 inches with dress uniforms.¹

Backpacks, Bags, Phones, and Umbrellas

Backpacks are authorized with the utility uniform only and must be black, olive drab, brown, tan, or MARPAT, worn over both shoulders. Any manufacturer logo must be subdued and no larger than five inches by two inches. Gym bags, duffel bags, and computer bags are hand-carried rather than slung over a shoulder. Purses and handbags are not authorized with utilities at all.¹

Cell phones and other electronic devices cannot be worn visibly on any Marine Corps uniform. No phone clipped to the belt, no lanyard on the chest.⁴ All Marines may carry a small, plain black umbrella, standard or collapsible, with service and dress uniforms in bad weather. Umbrellas are not authorized with utilities.⁵

Where and When You Can Wear the Uniform

Service and dress uniforms are appropriate for travel, public appearances, and social occasions. Utilities are stricter. A Marine generally cannot exit a vehicle off base while in utilities except in a genuine emergency such as a crash, breakdown, or medical situation. Drive-through stops are fine because you stay in the vehicle. Pulling into a gas station to fuel up is not an emergency, and running low on gas does not qualify.¹

Prohibited Activities in Uniform

Federal regulation prohibits wearing the uniform during political activities, commercial endorsements, or any situation where someone could reasonably assume the Marine Corps sponsors or supports what is happening. That includes rallies, marches, picket lines, public speeches, and demonstrations of any kind unless specifically authorized by the appropriate service authority.⁶

The order also prohibits wearing the uniform at any event associated with an organization the Attorney General has designated as totalitarian, fascist, communist, or subversive. The uniform cannot be used to endorse commercial products, and it cannot be worn for any privately sponsored show or event where an audience might think the Marine Corps backs the product being advertised. When there is doubt about whether wearing the uniform is appropriate, the question goes to the Commandant’s office through the Marine Corps Uniform Board.¹ Wearing any uniform in a way that brings discredit to the Marine Corps is itself a punishable offense.

Retired and Former Marines

Retired Marines, including those in the Fleet Marine Corps Reserve, are entitled to wear the uniform of the grade they held when placed on the retired list, on appropriate occasions.⁷ The same prohibitions that apply to active-duty Marines apply to retirees: no political events, no commercial endorsements, no demonstrations that could imply service endorsement, and nothing that would bring discredit to the Armed Forces.⁶

Retired Marines living in or visiting a foreign country cannot wear the uniform except when formally invited to a ceremony or social function where the invitation or local customs require it. Retired Marines employed by military schools other than the Marine Corps JROTC program cannot wear the uniform without specific authorization from the Commandant.¹

Former Marines not on the retired list have a narrower window. Those who served honorably during a declared or undeclared war may wear the uniform of their highest wartime grade only at military funerals, memorial services, weddings, inaugurals, and patriotic parades where an active or reserve unit is participating. Medal of Honor recipients may wear the uniform at their discretion, subject only to the same prohibitions on political activity and discreditable conduct that apply to everyone else.⁶

Civilian Clothing on Military Installations

When a Marine wears civilian clothing on base, the standard is conservative and professional. Clothing must be clean, in good repair, and properly fitted. Undergarments cannot be visible, and anything designed to be worn as underwear cannot be worn as outerwear.

Swimwear, gym gear, tank tops, short shorts, ripped clothing, flip-flops, and anything with obscene or suggestive designs are not authorized as general civilian attire on base. Flip-flops and shower shoes are limited to the pool and beach areas. Bandannas and similar items not designed as headgear are prohibited. Headgear is not worn indoors unless it has been authorized for a recognized religious purpose. Commanders set the local civilian clothing policy for their installations and can restrict entry to base facilities for Marines who fall short of the standard. No part of a military uniform may be mixed with civilian clothing, other than items that are not exclusively military in character.

Maintenance, Boots, and the Clothing Allowance

Faded or frayed utility uniforms must be replaced so the camouflage pattern stays effective. Leather dress shoes need regular polishing, and combat boots must be cleaned according to their material. Sharp creases on service uniforms require professional pressing. Unit commanders conduct periodic inspections to verify that all personnel have complete, regulation-condition uniforms, and persistent neglect can result in negative performance evaluations and potential loss of rank.

Authorized Combat Boots

Commercially purchased boots must carry a USMC approval identification serial number on the manufacturing label, confirming the Marine Corps has certified that particular style. Boots without this certification are not authorized in uniform.⁸

Clothing Replacement Allowance

Enlisted Marines receive a cash clothing replacement allowance annually, paid in the anniversary month, to cover normal wear and replacement of required uniform items. The allowance comes in two tiers. For fiscal year 2026, the basic allowance is roughly $590 for male Marines and $593 for female Marines. The standard allowance, for Marines with more time in service, is approximately $843 for males and $847 for females.⁹

1
Marines.mil. Marine Corps Uniform Regulations MCO 1020.34H
2
Marines.mil. MCO 6310.1C Pseudofolliculitis Barbae
3
United States Marine Corps. Uniform and Grooming Standards for Medical Conditions MARADMIN 124/25
4
United States Marine Corps. Wear of Cellular Phones and Other Electronic Equipment on Marine Corps Uniforms
5
United States Marine Corps. Uniform Board 218 Results
6
eCFR. 32 CFR 53.2 – Wearing of the Uniform
7
Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 10 USC 772 – When Wearing by Persons Not on Active Duty Authorized
8
Marines.mil. Authorized Marine Corps Combat Boots
9
Defense Finance and Accounting Service. Clothing Replacement Allowance